Hank turned 2 on Monday, October 25. It really is amazing how swiftly time has passed, it seems like just yesterday we were waiting to meet him… Hank had an absolute blast over his birthday weekend. He enjoyed getting to see family and friends and having birthday cake. He danced with glee most of the weekend (think Snoopy dance).
Hank and Michael paint together
On Friday, Hank’s cousins, Ainsley and Cameron came over to play (along with Ainsley’s parents, Traci and Geoff). The children really seemed to enjoy each other’s company, which is always a good thing. We met Tyler and Matt (Cameron’s dad) for lunch at one of our favorite local Mexican/Tex-Mex eateries. I have to say, its great hearing your child order his own food (Quesadilla! Rice! Beans!) and the servers there have watch Hank grow up so they’re very patient (thankfully) and wonderful with him. We were going to go watch Tori march with her school band that night, but decided against going to make sure Hank had a good night’s sleep before his party. (Its a good thing we didn’t end up going too, as it turned out, it was homecoming for her school so she didn’t end up marching until close to 11pm!)
David, Hank and Michael rock the house
Saturday morning, we had a birthday party for Hank. We’d planned to have several activities available in the back yard, but as it turned out it was a rainy morning (I guess we shouldn’t have watered our lawn the day before an outdoor party). By the time we moved the tables and got everything set up in the garage, the sun was out and it had stopped raining. As some of the guests had already arrived, we decided to leave things where they were. The children had a great time painting and playing with playdough in the garage! Among Hank’s guests at the party were several of our friends (who we call Hank’s village), some of Hank’s family along with some of Hank’s buddies. This year was remarkably different than last year’s celebration. At Hank’s first birthday party, he was teething and not feeling stellar so he wasn’t interested in his presents, guests or pie and seemed to only want Mom and Dad. This year, Hank had a blast with his guests, really enjoyed opening presents and telling people thank you and he was all about the birthday cake and blowing out the candles! Among his birthday presents, Hank received a toy microphone. He spent the majority of the rest of the party singing into it to anyone who would listen and even sometimes sitting by himself on the couch. Hank’s cousins, Michael and David joined him in performing, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” (several times). It was quite charming. At one point in the party, one of our friends arrived and we took a break from present opening to make sure appropriate introductions were made so everyone knew each other. Hank then took a turn introducing everyone going around the room and gesturing as he said each person’s name (Daddy, Mommy, Traci, Geoff, Dayna, Josshh). Everyone really enjoyed it (so cute!) and we were wishing we’d had our video camera out, but we didn’t so we missed having that for posterity. Sometimes we’ll find Hank introducing his toys now (Bear, Train, Doggie) and its so endearing. We think Hank will make an excellent host one day….
Ainsley waits for Hank to join her at the top of the slide
Sunday morning, after church (where Hank met his new Sunday school teacher, he moved into a new class), we met Geoff, Traci, Ainsley and Tyler’s cousin, Jessica for barbeque. After lunch we went to a nearby park where Ainsley and Hank had a great time playing together. Ainsley seemed to enjoy showing Hank the path to the entrance for one of the slides. I think she’ll make an excellent big sister or teacher one day, she’s very nurturing. Hank just loves his family and friends. At night, he’s begun thanking God for them which is incredibly sweet to hear. Sometimes, if he feels he forgot a particular family member or thing he’d like to thank God for, he’ll call it out as we are leaving (or after we’ve left) the room (and Geoff! and Megan! and airplanes!) Its wonderful having him share what he enjoys and thinks about.
On Monday, Hank’s actual birthday, Hank went to a friend’s house to make a Halloween craft and play. He really seemed to enjoy himself there. This was the first time he used glue from a bottle instead of a stick and I think he rather enjoyed pouring the glue more than the actual glueing of items. He made a pumpkin collage on a paper plate (we call it a monster though because it has several eyes) and he also made a spider using a cutout of his hand (lots of googly eyes there too). Hank really loves to create, to draw, color and paint. Its so marvelous watching him do his art, he can be so focused. We met Tyler for Asian food (one of Hank’s favorites) for lunch and later that evening, we had a celebration with Hank for his birthday. He completely enjoyed getting to have birthday cake again, complete with blowing out the candles. He loves blowing out the candles so much, we actually put them back on the cake and relit them partway through dessert (several times actually). If it was against all the good parenting and safety guidelines, we’d probably make candle lighting (and blowing out) one of Hank’s available activities (right there with pouring, scooping and sorting). I think that lighting a match and/or a candle is excellent for hand/eye coordination. I also think that Hank has a fire safety merit badge in his future.
Here are some photos from Hank’s super fun birthday weekend in no particular order:
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